Box and Fiddle
Year 07 No 04
December 1983
Price 25p
12 pages
8 month subscription £3
Editor – Ian Smith, 50 Mount Vernon Road, Stranraer Tele 4098
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Mary Plunkett, 2 Dounan Road, Dunragit, Wigtownshire
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Sandy Watson Stars at Motherwell
by Peter Paterson
Accordions Galore certainly took Motherwell by storm at the Civic Centre Concert Hall. The event was on Friday, 18th November, and was the 5th Annual Concert in memory of the late master accordionist Will Starr.
The show kicked off at 7.40pm, ten minutes later than planned, but from then on it moved slickly and smoothly, whetting the appetites of the appreciative audience with a feat for great accordion music.
John Morgan and his Slamannan Accordion Band were first on stage. They gave a fine programme of varied types of music, leaving the audience asking for more at the end of their spot.
A braw piper took the stage, Doug Ferguson. He accompanied Nadia Strock, a brilliant eight-year-old champion Highland dancer. Her tiny, kilted figure and interpretation of her dance certainly appealed to the audience.
Next was the highlight of the show – the 1983 Will Starr Memorial Shield Contest. This year it featured Graeme Johnston from Coatbridge ; Sandy Watson from Armadale and Ewan Donald from Ayr. These three young lads certainly kept up the standard of contestants that have entered this contest since its inception in 1979.
They all played their various selections with style and confidence, making it hard as usual for the judges.
After the competition, John Morgan came on once again, this time to accompany Grace Douglas. Grace hails from Slamannan and does a fair amount of concerts with John appearing as compere and singer.
On that night, Grace took the role as singer only. She gave an excellent performance with her songs of Scotland.
John Morgan stayed on stage after Grace finished her spot. He certainly had the audience sit up and take notice as he sailed through his solo accordion routine. John, in my estimation, has, as in the tune title, ‘Dancing Fingers.’ All you Accordion Clubs give yourselves a treat by booking John Morgan to come along and entertain.
As John finished, after an encore, it was the turn of our top-of-the-bill the Raymond Chuchuk Trio. This featured Raymond on accordion, Brian Forrest on second box and Bill Gillie on drums. I’m sure they enjoyed the night as much as the audience did, soaking up the applause the audience gave out to this trio. It’s refreshing to hear a trio like this trying something different.
After the interval our accordion orchestra took the stand. This was led by Peter Gardiner from Holytown. Peter is well known in Holytown for his work in encouraging young accordion players in his own band.
The Holytown Band and the Bellmoss Band joined forces to form the orchestra for this show.
They had a tremendous reception during their act and had to do an encore, proving the effect their music had on all who listened.
Then it was the turn of the man himself, the man responsible for Peter Gardiner, John Morgan and the Bellmoss Band performers – Jackie Gall. Jackie Gall taught all of them and is, in fact, still teaching them.
Jackie, in my estimation, stole the show with his style of playing that is very rare these days. He romped through his spot with wartime favourites and marches and then his favourite music – jazz. How masterfully he plays this type of music. In left-hand work I have never seen or heard the equal. He took a couple of encores and could have taken more.
Jackie has been under-estimated over the years. Now being not so young, I still think he could be a great accordion star given the chance.
After Jackie it was the presentation of the Will Starr Memorial Shield for 1983. This year the contest went to Sandy Watson from Armadale, an outstanding performance with years ahead of him to only get better.
It was very close for second and third, but a decision had to be made.
So second was Graeme Johnston from Coatbridge. Graeme had a great attack in his style of playing.
Third, but by no means least, was Ewan Donald all the way from Ayr. Ewan had good stage presence and has confidence. I wish them all the luck in years to come. Keep up their standards.
Margaret Starrs presented the trophies as usual, and she is fairly getting used to this procedure. She looked resplendent in her tartan skirt to suit the occasion.
The individual trophies to the contestants were as usual donated by the Croy Social Club, a gesture which is much appreciated.
Next on stage was Jim Hood from Galston, accompanied by a fine lassie who played the organ. Jim gave us old and new Scottish songs in a fine style. Many thanks Jim.
Then it was the turn of the Burns Brothers from Cumbernauld. These two young men are really something. The harmonies they conjure up are a joy to listen to. Another great act for the Accordion Clubs. The Burns Brothers were the 1982 winners of the Shield.
Our final act once again was the Raymond Chuchuk Trio. Brilliant, excellent, all these adjectives I use to describe their talent. I must mention Brian Forrest. His wee comedy routines are a great boost to the act. Keep it up, Brian.
The Trio was so good I finally had to come on stage to let them finish. They could and would have played all night. The audience would not let them go.
With my usual ‘We’re no awa’ tae bide awa’’, the 1983 Accordions Galore Show moved into history….
Summing –up and from various reports, this show was reckoned to have been the slickest. No time lost, just continuous entertainment. I am certainly glad as this is what I try to achieve.
The proceeds of the show, as in other years, go to a charity. This year the money goes to Spina Bifida.
The 1984 Will Starr Memorial Shield contest is now open. It is open to all amateur accordion players of any age, male or female. At present I am getting the bream of our young accordion talent of which I am grateful.
How about some of the more mature players having a go? How about each accordion club sending one of its outstanding performers to try for next year’s contest?
I have been requested to do a series on Will Starr for the ‘B&F’. Would any reader who has a story to tell about Will, personal or any performance they enjoyed when Will Starr was playing to them?
Anything they would like to be included in the articles, please write to me, giving details, dates etc of the event.
The Will Starr Society would also like photographs of him from people who may have personal snaps of Will, or video recordings or 8mm film, any material or audio cassette recordings.
Iain MacFadyen
An Appreciation
Iain MacFadyen who died last April will be remembered by many for his outstanding achievements during his lifetime ; mainly as Head of Light Entertainment of BBC Scotland.
Way back in 1957 he founded the most famous of our programmes ‘The White Heather Club.’
As a musician he was also noted for his compositions and under his nom-de-plume of Neil Grant he wrote
The Thurso Wedding
Deveron Reel
He also wrote some music for Andy Stewart. Among them were
The Girl from Glasgow Town
Come In, Come In
The Lads of Bonnie Scotland and
Lassie Come and Dance Wi’ Me
Letters, Stories, Gossip – Send Them In !
by Derek Hamilton
Here’s the very first of a brand new column – really it’s meant to be a sort of informal newsy type of affair and I hope it will not only be informative but also at times controversial.
I hope, too, that over the coming months you will take part – write to me or to the Editor with your comments, views, air your grievances.
The ‘B&F’ is your newspaper and it depends on your input for survival – so come on, get your pens out folks and write to us.
I am not, by the way, forsaking the Record Review – these will be incorporated into two columns as and when things come to hand. There will also be stories about people behind the records and our music in general. Probably some gossip too!!
Take a look at the photo of the man with the Shand Morino. Notice anything unusual? Well, he’s Jim Donaldson from Cupar in Fife and he’s coming up for 78 years of age. Looks well on it doesn’t he? That may be something special, but it’s not what I mean. Take a look at the box – no, it’s not a three row – it is, in fact, a four-row.
The four-row Continental-tuned accordion was very popular some years ago and was the forerunner to the now very popular five-row accordion.
The four-row that Jim plays, though, is quite, quite unique. It is not a Continental-tuned box, but, in fact, is diatonic like the three-row British Chromatic accordion. That is, it gives a different note when the bellows are pulled from when they are pushed.
As far as I know there are only two boxes like that anywhere and both were created by Jim Donaldson.
Jim started playing a long, long time ago and he played a Continental four-row – he even made a record which was to be generally released away back in 1933. Two copies survive and Jim has both. Unfortunately, the company producing the disc ran into difficulties before the release of Jim’s version of the Cuckoo Waltz.’
After the Second War, Jim decided to change from the four-row Continental accordion to the three-row British Chromatic, but was never very happy with it in its standard form. He picked up an old box and set about converting it to a four-row, but retaining the chromatic tuning action. The box was a rough-and-ready conversion but worked fine.
Sometime later, Jim decided to buy a new box and approached an old friend, Jimmy Shand, to see if Hohner could supply a custom made four-row chromatic. Hohner said ‘No,’ but they could supply all the parts necessary to convert a Shand Morino. Jim agreed that this was the only course open and Jimmy Shand ordered up the bits.
A box duly arrived containing buttons, pallets, levers, reeds, etc, etc, etc!! Jim Donaldson took one look and shook in his shoes. What on earth had he taken on? He’d bought a new Hohner Shand Morino and was about to start drilling holes in it and pulling it to bits!! What would the wife think?
Well, she just sat back and let him get on with it and Jim, in a well-ordered fashion, took his treasured Morino to pieces and marked every part so that he knew where it all came from. He drilled out the keyboard and made up the lever movements, replaced the reeds and rebuilt the box and……more than 30 years later that’s it you see Jim playing in the photograph.
Jimmy Shand got Jim’s first converted box and as far as I know still has it. The conversation means that all notes are now available as either a push or a pull. Jim tells me that the fingering is different and that a standard three-row player would have some changes to make to be able to play this converted box.
Jim, however, used it for many years when he was playing in his own dance band around the Fife area.
In the early days he tried to get it into production, but, unfortunately, that deal didn’t come through due to the death of Jim’s benefactor.
Anyway, Jim is quite content to sit in his lovely wee cottage in Cupar and play away to his heart’s content in the knowledge that his is a unique instrument and that he designed and modified it himself.
I first got to know Jim through his own compositions. He has composed some nice waltz tunes, a set of three which he named after his wife – ‘Rena’s Waltzes’ and another set which he titled ‘Christina’s Waltzes’ after a dearly loved member of the family who died very suddenly last year.
He’s also got quite a collection of tapes which he has made over the years.
Music is his life-blood – long may it continue to give Jim and Rena Donaldson a happy retirement.
That wee story has been kicking around for a while now and should originally have been published in the first issue this season, but, unfortunately, the copy went astray in the post, so it’s apologies to Jim for the delay in seeing his story in print.
Dermot O’Brien
Now I can’t let this column go without a mention of a super 10 days I’ve just spent with the one-and-only Irish superstar of the accordion Dermot O’Brien.
As some of you may know, on 10th January this year (1983) Dermot uprooted his home and moved to America. As a result the long-serving trio that we had come to know and love was disbanded. Derek McCormack and Johnny Barton went their separate ways.
Dermot, of course, has a big following in the UK and had no intention of forsaking them even though he is domiciled in New York. He came back in May this year and toured his well-loved stamping ground of the North-West of England. He only managed four Scottish dates than, but decided to come back in November.
Robin and Deryn Waitt (known to some as the Bon Accords) from Canonbie, organize the Scottish dates for Dermot and a jam-packed ten-night tour was scheduled for November.
Starting in Beith and finishing in Dumfries, the venues between were in Dunblane, Dingwall, Keith, Aberdeen (two nights), Glasgow, Jedburgh and Kelso.
All the dates were excellent with the O’Brien magic shining through on each.
Highlight of the tour was undoubtedly Aberdeen where Ross Records of Turriff had organized a two-night variety show called ‘A Night at the Auld Meal Mill.’ A star-studded bill indeed played to a virtually full house (2,000) each night. As well as ourselves, Joe Gordon and Sally Logan appeared. John Mearns (who made ‘The Auld Meal Mill’ famous) sang and told couthie stories. Gordon Pattullo and Bobby Coghill represented the differing styles of the accordion. The Turriff and District Pipe Band, the Bobby Watson Dancers, Ina Miller and John Anderson all added their particular blend of talent to the show.
A special mention must go to Graham Geddes and his Band who made a most professional job of all the backings. I thought they were outstanding.
Robbie Shepherd hosted the show and proved once again that the ‘Dunecht Loon’ is the tops when it comes to comperes.
Production was by Graham Geddes and Wattie who aged noticeably on the second night when the Pipe Band had failed to arrive five minutes before the show began. However, he had them on stage and the show under way with time to spare – such is the organizing skill of a first-class producer – Wattie Geddes.
I know, too, that Dermot O’Brien was delighted with the way the show went. Congratulations to all at Ross Records, particularly Gibson Ross for a super show. It certainly revived my faith in Scottish entertainment.
Each date on the tour had something different and the whole thing was a most enjoyable experience.
Dermot had a young drummer from ‘the capital of Ireland’ – Liverpool that is – Eugene Hudson, who, at 21, is absolutely brilliant as well as myself on keyboards in the Trio.
Record Review
by Derek Hamilton
Peterson Magic – Jack Delaney and his Band
Rigadoon
Tommy Ford – ‘Model T’ - Lismor LILP 5124
The Currie Brothers – By Special Request – Astral ASLP 001
Fergie McDonald – There’s Irish in the Islands – Lismor LILP 5126
Eight Scottish Country Dances from Vol 3 – Rob Gordon – RSCDS 12
Graham Jamieson
By Murdo McLeod
This month we feature Graham Jamieson as part of our special sketches marking the ten years existence of Livingston A&F Club.
Born in Pumpherston 17 years ago to Margaret and Bobby Jamieson, Graham took an early interest in drumming when he joined the local pipe band – the Livingston and Pumpherston Pipe Band. His tutors were Harry Mitchell Snr and then Harry Mitchell Jnr and young Graham, with his colleagues in the drum corps, did such an excellent job that the band scored a unique double at Cowal Games in 1982 in winning the drumming section and the Pipe Band Championships and, indeed, in that notable year the band scooped all the main honours to collect the grand prize – Champion of Champions. They also, of course, won Grade III at the World championships in that year.
Graham has been associated with our Club since he played in January, 1978, along with young Derek and father John Rae. The report in the ‘B&F’ of that month predicted a rosy future for the 12-year-old who made such an impression that cold night in Mid-Calder Masonic Hall.
In 1979 he got his chance with the well-known Strathalmond SDB, which included two broadcasts – and played with two other broadcasting bands Grace McCleaver and Ian Anderson, for another two broadcasts. Not bad for a lad still in his early teens.
In recent months young Graham’s career has taken another turn in joining Iain MacPhail’s Band which will soon be featured on STV’s Gaelic programme ‘Sounds Gaelic.’
Notable events in Graham’s musical career included three trips to Inter-Celtic Festivals in France when he joined Angus Cameron to Lorrient and Maureen Rutherford and George Carmichael to Quimper. A good time was had by all!!
Asked who he looks to for inspiration, he gave the reply “Barra Dean, jazz drummer with the late Louis Armstrong and then nearer home to our own Gus Millar, Billy Thom and Max Ketchin” – impeccable taste one would have thought.
Here than is another of the talented youngsters who cut their teeth on our local scene, moving stradily ahead in the field of Scottish music.
We hope he continues to give us a little of his time at the Club in the years ahead. His friends there and elsewhere wish him all the best in the future.
PS – In the past year Graham is the third musician with strong Oakbank connections to feature in this column. I wonder what is in the Oakbank air?
Letters to the Editor
Sir – I am writing to thank the N.A.A.F.C. for the wonderful portrait. It will have pride of place in our home and Leila and I will cherish the memories of the weekend at Dunblane.
Through the medium of the ‘B&F’ perhaps it will be possible for you to let all our friends how much we enjoyed their company on our visit.
Take care and God Bless you all.
Ian Powrie
‘Strathardle’
Great Northern Highway
Upper Swan
Western Australia
Sir – The article on the origins of ‘The Reel of the 51st Division’ was extremely interesting. I would like to know the story which lies behind many more of our favourite dances.
George S. Emmerson, in his book ‘Scotland Through Her Country Dances’, tells us the story about many of our traditional dances, but, of course, many of our recent dances are not included.
Who, for instance, were J. B. Milne and Angus MacLeod? And why have theu got dances names after them?
If there is someone in the Society who could write a series of short articles giving the background to these dances I am sure that many members would find the information of very great interest.
David J. Park
Ashtead
Surrey
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) –
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Masonic Arms Hotel) – 21 Dec 83 Party 25 Jan 83 Allan Smith & the Doublet SDB
Ayr (Aftongrange Hotel) – 2 Jan 84 Sandy MacArthur and Friends
Balloch (Griffin Hotel, Alexandria) – 18 Dec 83 Glasgow Cale S&R Society
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26 Dec 83 Graeme Mitchell
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Club) – 23 Feb 84 John Leslie
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) –
Cleland (Dalrymple House) – 16 Jan 84 Club Night
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) –
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dunblane (Hydro) –
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) – 12 Jan 84 Annual Dinner Dance Jim Johnstone SDB
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) – 10 Jan 84 Paddy Neary
East Kilbride (King’s Park Hotel, Rutherglen) – 25 Jan 84 Ian Peterson Trio & Burns Night
Edinburgh (The Berry Suite, Abbey Hill) – 1 Feb 84 Mike Clark
Falkirk (Park Hotel) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) – 27 Dec 83 Stuart McKeown Trio
Forres (Brig Motel) – 11 Jan 84 Alan Roy
Fort William (Caol Community Club) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Theo’s Restaurant, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 19 Dec 83 Dingwall Club 30 Mar 84 Annual Dance Graeme Mitchell SDB
Islesteps (Cargenholm Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 21 Dec 83 Dundee A&F Club Junior Band
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 29 Dec 83 Ceilidh & Dance
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 12 Jan 84 Richard Ross SDB
Livingston (Royal British Legion Social Club) –
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) –
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Morecambe (Yorkshire Hotel, Lancaster) -
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 30 Jan 84 George Stirrat & Jimmy Yeaman
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Huntsman Inn – Penton) (formerly called Gretna Club) –
North East (Royal Hotel, Keith) –
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Ex-Servicemen’s Club) – 26 Jan 84 Lothian SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20 Dec 83 Bill Black SDB 17 Jan 84 Iain MacPhail SDB
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel) -
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Buck’s Head Hotel) – 9 Jan 84 Rigadoon
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) -
Tynedale (The Royal Hotel, Hexham) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Ayr
2. Balloch
3. Banchory
4. Belford
5. Campbeltown
6. Castle Douglas
7. Cleland
8. Crieff & District
9. Dingwall
10. Dundee & District
11. East Kilbride
12. Forres
13. Fort William
14. Glendale (Wooler)
15. Highland
16. Kintore
17. Lesmahagow
18. Livingston
19. M.A.F.I.A.
20. Newtongrange
21. North Cumbria
22. North East
23. Ormiston
24. Peebles
25. Shetland
26. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1983 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1980) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
11. Buchan A&F Club
12. Callander A&F Club (
13. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
15. Cleland (cNov 1981) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Derwentside A&F Club
19. Dingwall & District (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
21. Dundee & District A&F Club
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
24. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
25. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
26. Fintry A&F Club
27. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
28. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
29. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
30. Galston A&F Club (1969 – per first edition)
31. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
32. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
33. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
34. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
36. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
37. Kintore A&F Club
38. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
39. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
40. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
41. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
42. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
43. M.A.F.I.A. (early)
44. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
45. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
46. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
47. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
48. North Cumbria A&F Club (originally Gretna started July 1965 – had to move to a venue in the North of England and changed name – eventually changed back when they returned to the Halcrow Stadium. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
49. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
50. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
51. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
52. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
53. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
54. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
55. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
56. Rothbury Accordion Club (aka Coquetdale Club - Feb 1974)
57. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
58. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
59. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
60. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
61. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
62. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
63. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
64. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
65. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
66. Club Accord
67. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
68. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
69. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
70. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
71. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
72. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
73. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
74. Newcastleton Accordion Club
75. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
76. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
77. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
78. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
79. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
80. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £70
Half Page - £35
Quarter Page - £17.50
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Mary Plunkett, 2 Dounan Road, Dunragit, Wigtownshire
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Sandy Watson Stars at Motherwell
by Peter Paterson
Accordions Galore certainly took Motherwell by storm at the Civic Centre Concert Hall. The event was on Friday, 18th November, and was the 5th Annual Concert in memory of the late master accordionist Will Starr.
The show kicked off at 7.40pm, ten minutes later than planned, but from then on it moved slickly and smoothly, whetting the appetites of the appreciative audience with a feat for great accordion music.
John Morgan and his Slamannan Accordion Band were first on stage. They gave a fine programme of varied types of music, leaving the audience asking for more at the end of their spot.
A braw piper took the stage, Doug Ferguson. He accompanied Nadia Strock, a brilliant eight-year-old champion Highland dancer. Her tiny, kilted figure and interpretation of her dance certainly appealed to the audience.
Next was the highlight of the show – the 1983 Will Starr Memorial Shield Contest. This year it featured Graeme Johnston from Coatbridge ; Sandy Watson from Armadale and Ewan Donald from Ayr. These three young lads certainly kept up the standard of contestants that have entered this contest since its inception in 1979.
They all played their various selections with style and confidence, making it hard as usual for the judges.
After the competition, John Morgan came on once again, this time to accompany Grace Douglas. Grace hails from Slamannan and does a fair amount of concerts with John appearing as compere and singer.
On that night, Grace took the role as singer only. She gave an excellent performance with her songs of Scotland.
John Morgan stayed on stage after Grace finished her spot. He certainly had the audience sit up and take notice as he sailed through his solo accordion routine. John, in my estimation, has, as in the tune title, ‘Dancing Fingers.’ All you Accordion Clubs give yourselves a treat by booking John Morgan to come along and entertain.
As John finished, after an encore, it was the turn of our top-of-the-bill the Raymond Chuchuk Trio. This featured Raymond on accordion, Brian Forrest on second box and Bill Gillie on drums. I’m sure they enjoyed the night as much as the audience did, soaking up the applause the audience gave out to this trio. It’s refreshing to hear a trio like this trying something different.
After the interval our accordion orchestra took the stand. This was led by Peter Gardiner from Holytown. Peter is well known in Holytown for his work in encouraging young accordion players in his own band.
The Holytown Band and the Bellmoss Band joined forces to form the orchestra for this show.
They had a tremendous reception during their act and had to do an encore, proving the effect their music had on all who listened.
Then it was the turn of the man himself, the man responsible for Peter Gardiner, John Morgan and the Bellmoss Band performers – Jackie Gall. Jackie Gall taught all of them and is, in fact, still teaching them.
Jackie, in my estimation, stole the show with his style of playing that is very rare these days. He romped through his spot with wartime favourites and marches and then his favourite music – jazz. How masterfully he plays this type of music. In left-hand work I have never seen or heard the equal. He took a couple of encores and could have taken more.
Jackie has been under-estimated over the years. Now being not so young, I still think he could be a great accordion star given the chance.
After Jackie it was the presentation of the Will Starr Memorial Shield for 1983. This year the contest went to Sandy Watson from Armadale, an outstanding performance with years ahead of him to only get better.
It was very close for second and third, but a decision had to be made.
So second was Graeme Johnston from Coatbridge. Graeme had a great attack in his style of playing.
Third, but by no means least, was Ewan Donald all the way from Ayr. Ewan had good stage presence and has confidence. I wish them all the luck in years to come. Keep up their standards.
Margaret Starrs presented the trophies as usual, and she is fairly getting used to this procedure. She looked resplendent in her tartan skirt to suit the occasion.
The individual trophies to the contestants were as usual donated by the Croy Social Club, a gesture which is much appreciated.
Next on stage was Jim Hood from Galston, accompanied by a fine lassie who played the organ. Jim gave us old and new Scottish songs in a fine style. Many thanks Jim.
Then it was the turn of the Burns Brothers from Cumbernauld. These two young men are really something. The harmonies they conjure up are a joy to listen to. Another great act for the Accordion Clubs. The Burns Brothers were the 1982 winners of the Shield.
Our final act once again was the Raymond Chuchuk Trio. Brilliant, excellent, all these adjectives I use to describe their talent. I must mention Brian Forrest. His wee comedy routines are a great boost to the act. Keep it up, Brian.
The Trio was so good I finally had to come on stage to let them finish. They could and would have played all night. The audience would not let them go.
With my usual ‘We’re no awa’ tae bide awa’’, the 1983 Accordions Galore Show moved into history….
Summing –up and from various reports, this show was reckoned to have been the slickest. No time lost, just continuous entertainment. I am certainly glad as this is what I try to achieve.
The proceeds of the show, as in other years, go to a charity. This year the money goes to Spina Bifida.
The 1984 Will Starr Memorial Shield contest is now open. It is open to all amateur accordion players of any age, male or female. At present I am getting the bream of our young accordion talent of which I am grateful.
How about some of the more mature players having a go? How about each accordion club sending one of its outstanding performers to try for next year’s contest?
I have been requested to do a series on Will Starr for the ‘B&F’. Would any reader who has a story to tell about Will, personal or any performance they enjoyed when Will Starr was playing to them?
Anything they would like to be included in the articles, please write to me, giving details, dates etc of the event.
The Will Starr Society would also like photographs of him from people who may have personal snaps of Will, or video recordings or 8mm film, any material or audio cassette recordings.
Iain MacFadyen
An Appreciation
Iain MacFadyen who died last April will be remembered by many for his outstanding achievements during his lifetime ; mainly as Head of Light Entertainment of BBC Scotland.
Way back in 1957 he founded the most famous of our programmes ‘The White Heather Club.’
As a musician he was also noted for his compositions and under his nom-de-plume of Neil Grant he wrote
The Thurso Wedding
Deveron Reel
He also wrote some music for Andy Stewart. Among them were
The Girl from Glasgow Town
Come In, Come In
The Lads of Bonnie Scotland and
Lassie Come and Dance Wi’ Me
Letters, Stories, Gossip – Send Them In !
by Derek Hamilton
Here’s the very first of a brand new column – really it’s meant to be a sort of informal newsy type of affair and I hope it will not only be informative but also at times controversial.
I hope, too, that over the coming months you will take part – write to me or to the Editor with your comments, views, air your grievances.
The ‘B&F’ is your newspaper and it depends on your input for survival – so come on, get your pens out folks and write to us.
I am not, by the way, forsaking the Record Review – these will be incorporated into two columns as and when things come to hand. There will also be stories about people behind the records and our music in general. Probably some gossip too!!
Take a look at the photo of the man with the Shand Morino. Notice anything unusual? Well, he’s Jim Donaldson from Cupar in Fife and he’s coming up for 78 years of age. Looks well on it doesn’t he? That may be something special, but it’s not what I mean. Take a look at the box – no, it’s not a three row – it is, in fact, a four-row.
The four-row Continental-tuned accordion was very popular some years ago and was the forerunner to the now very popular five-row accordion.
The four-row that Jim plays, though, is quite, quite unique. It is not a Continental-tuned box, but, in fact, is diatonic like the three-row British Chromatic accordion. That is, it gives a different note when the bellows are pulled from when they are pushed.
As far as I know there are only two boxes like that anywhere and both were created by Jim Donaldson.
Jim started playing a long, long time ago and he played a Continental four-row – he even made a record which was to be generally released away back in 1933. Two copies survive and Jim has both. Unfortunately, the company producing the disc ran into difficulties before the release of Jim’s version of the Cuckoo Waltz.’
After the Second War, Jim decided to change from the four-row Continental accordion to the three-row British Chromatic, but was never very happy with it in its standard form. He picked up an old box and set about converting it to a four-row, but retaining the chromatic tuning action. The box was a rough-and-ready conversion but worked fine.
Sometime later, Jim decided to buy a new box and approached an old friend, Jimmy Shand, to see if Hohner could supply a custom made four-row chromatic. Hohner said ‘No,’ but they could supply all the parts necessary to convert a Shand Morino. Jim agreed that this was the only course open and Jimmy Shand ordered up the bits.
A box duly arrived containing buttons, pallets, levers, reeds, etc, etc, etc!! Jim Donaldson took one look and shook in his shoes. What on earth had he taken on? He’d bought a new Hohner Shand Morino and was about to start drilling holes in it and pulling it to bits!! What would the wife think?
Well, she just sat back and let him get on with it and Jim, in a well-ordered fashion, took his treasured Morino to pieces and marked every part so that he knew where it all came from. He drilled out the keyboard and made up the lever movements, replaced the reeds and rebuilt the box and……more than 30 years later that’s it you see Jim playing in the photograph.
Jimmy Shand got Jim’s first converted box and as far as I know still has it. The conversation means that all notes are now available as either a push or a pull. Jim tells me that the fingering is different and that a standard three-row player would have some changes to make to be able to play this converted box.
Jim, however, used it for many years when he was playing in his own dance band around the Fife area.
In the early days he tried to get it into production, but, unfortunately, that deal didn’t come through due to the death of Jim’s benefactor.
Anyway, Jim is quite content to sit in his lovely wee cottage in Cupar and play away to his heart’s content in the knowledge that his is a unique instrument and that he designed and modified it himself.
I first got to know Jim through his own compositions. He has composed some nice waltz tunes, a set of three which he named after his wife – ‘Rena’s Waltzes’ and another set which he titled ‘Christina’s Waltzes’ after a dearly loved member of the family who died very suddenly last year.
He’s also got quite a collection of tapes which he has made over the years.
Music is his life-blood – long may it continue to give Jim and Rena Donaldson a happy retirement.
That wee story has been kicking around for a while now and should originally have been published in the first issue this season, but, unfortunately, the copy went astray in the post, so it’s apologies to Jim for the delay in seeing his story in print.
Dermot O’Brien
Now I can’t let this column go without a mention of a super 10 days I’ve just spent with the one-and-only Irish superstar of the accordion Dermot O’Brien.
As some of you may know, on 10th January this year (1983) Dermot uprooted his home and moved to America. As a result the long-serving trio that we had come to know and love was disbanded. Derek McCormack and Johnny Barton went their separate ways.
Dermot, of course, has a big following in the UK and had no intention of forsaking them even though he is domiciled in New York. He came back in May this year and toured his well-loved stamping ground of the North-West of England. He only managed four Scottish dates than, but decided to come back in November.
Robin and Deryn Waitt (known to some as the Bon Accords) from Canonbie, organize the Scottish dates for Dermot and a jam-packed ten-night tour was scheduled for November.
Starting in Beith and finishing in Dumfries, the venues between were in Dunblane, Dingwall, Keith, Aberdeen (two nights), Glasgow, Jedburgh and Kelso.
All the dates were excellent with the O’Brien magic shining through on each.
Highlight of the tour was undoubtedly Aberdeen where Ross Records of Turriff had organized a two-night variety show called ‘A Night at the Auld Meal Mill.’ A star-studded bill indeed played to a virtually full house (2,000) each night. As well as ourselves, Joe Gordon and Sally Logan appeared. John Mearns (who made ‘The Auld Meal Mill’ famous) sang and told couthie stories. Gordon Pattullo and Bobby Coghill represented the differing styles of the accordion. The Turriff and District Pipe Band, the Bobby Watson Dancers, Ina Miller and John Anderson all added their particular blend of talent to the show.
A special mention must go to Graham Geddes and his Band who made a most professional job of all the backings. I thought they were outstanding.
Robbie Shepherd hosted the show and proved once again that the ‘Dunecht Loon’ is the tops when it comes to comperes.
Production was by Graham Geddes and Wattie who aged noticeably on the second night when the Pipe Band had failed to arrive five minutes before the show began. However, he had them on stage and the show under way with time to spare – such is the organizing skill of a first-class producer – Wattie Geddes.
I know, too, that Dermot O’Brien was delighted with the way the show went. Congratulations to all at Ross Records, particularly Gibson Ross for a super show. It certainly revived my faith in Scottish entertainment.
Each date on the tour had something different and the whole thing was a most enjoyable experience.
Dermot had a young drummer from ‘the capital of Ireland’ – Liverpool that is – Eugene Hudson, who, at 21, is absolutely brilliant as well as myself on keyboards in the Trio.
Record Review
by Derek Hamilton
Peterson Magic – Jack Delaney and his Band
Rigadoon
Tommy Ford – ‘Model T’ - Lismor LILP 5124
The Currie Brothers – By Special Request – Astral ASLP 001
Fergie McDonald – There’s Irish in the Islands – Lismor LILP 5126
Eight Scottish Country Dances from Vol 3 – Rob Gordon – RSCDS 12
Graham Jamieson
By Murdo McLeod
This month we feature Graham Jamieson as part of our special sketches marking the ten years existence of Livingston A&F Club.
Born in Pumpherston 17 years ago to Margaret and Bobby Jamieson, Graham took an early interest in drumming when he joined the local pipe band – the Livingston and Pumpherston Pipe Band. His tutors were Harry Mitchell Snr and then Harry Mitchell Jnr and young Graham, with his colleagues in the drum corps, did such an excellent job that the band scored a unique double at Cowal Games in 1982 in winning the drumming section and the Pipe Band Championships and, indeed, in that notable year the band scooped all the main honours to collect the grand prize – Champion of Champions. They also, of course, won Grade III at the World championships in that year.
Graham has been associated with our Club since he played in January, 1978, along with young Derek and father John Rae. The report in the ‘B&F’ of that month predicted a rosy future for the 12-year-old who made such an impression that cold night in Mid-Calder Masonic Hall.
In 1979 he got his chance with the well-known Strathalmond SDB, which included two broadcasts – and played with two other broadcasting bands Grace McCleaver and Ian Anderson, for another two broadcasts. Not bad for a lad still in his early teens.
In recent months young Graham’s career has taken another turn in joining Iain MacPhail’s Band which will soon be featured on STV’s Gaelic programme ‘Sounds Gaelic.’
Notable events in Graham’s musical career included three trips to Inter-Celtic Festivals in France when he joined Angus Cameron to Lorrient and Maureen Rutherford and George Carmichael to Quimper. A good time was had by all!!
Asked who he looks to for inspiration, he gave the reply “Barra Dean, jazz drummer with the late Louis Armstrong and then nearer home to our own Gus Millar, Billy Thom and Max Ketchin” – impeccable taste one would have thought.
Here than is another of the talented youngsters who cut their teeth on our local scene, moving stradily ahead in the field of Scottish music.
We hope he continues to give us a little of his time at the Club in the years ahead. His friends there and elsewhere wish him all the best in the future.
PS – In the past year Graham is the third musician with strong Oakbank connections to feature in this column. I wonder what is in the Oakbank air?
Letters to the Editor
Sir – I am writing to thank the N.A.A.F.C. for the wonderful portrait. It will have pride of place in our home and Leila and I will cherish the memories of the weekend at Dunblane.
Through the medium of the ‘B&F’ perhaps it will be possible for you to let all our friends how much we enjoyed their company on our visit.
Take care and God Bless you all.
Ian Powrie
‘Strathardle’
Great Northern Highway
Upper Swan
Western Australia
Sir – The article on the origins of ‘The Reel of the 51st Division’ was extremely interesting. I would like to know the story which lies behind many more of our favourite dances.
George S. Emmerson, in his book ‘Scotland Through Her Country Dances’, tells us the story about many of our traditional dances, but, of course, many of our recent dances are not included.
Who, for instance, were J. B. Milne and Angus MacLeod? And why have theu got dances names after them?
If there is someone in the Society who could write a series of short articles giving the background to these dances I am sure that many members would find the information of very great interest.
David J. Park
Ashtead
Surrey
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) –
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Masonic Arms Hotel) – 21 Dec 83 Party 25 Jan 83 Allan Smith & the Doublet SDB
Ayr (Aftongrange Hotel) – 2 Jan 84 Sandy MacArthur and Friends
Balloch (Griffin Hotel, Alexandria) – 18 Dec 83 Glasgow Cale S&R Society
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26 Dec 83 Graeme Mitchell
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Club) – 23 Feb 84 John Leslie
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) –
Cleland (Dalrymple House) – 16 Jan 84 Club Night
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) –
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dunblane (Hydro) –
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) – 12 Jan 84 Annual Dinner Dance Jim Johnstone SDB
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) – 10 Jan 84 Paddy Neary
East Kilbride (King’s Park Hotel, Rutherglen) – 25 Jan 84 Ian Peterson Trio & Burns Night
Edinburgh (The Berry Suite, Abbey Hill) – 1 Feb 84 Mike Clark
Falkirk (Park Hotel) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) – 27 Dec 83 Stuart McKeown Trio
Forres (Brig Motel) – 11 Jan 84 Alan Roy
Fort William (Caol Community Club) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Theo’s Restaurant, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 19 Dec 83 Dingwall Club 30 Mar 84 Annual Dance Graeme Mitchell SDB
Islesteps (Cargenholm Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 21 Dec 83 Dundee A&F Club Junior Band
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 29 Dec 83 Ceilidh & Dance
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 12 Jan 84 Richard Ross SDB
Livingston (Royal British Legion Social Club) –
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) –
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Morecambe (Yorkshire Hotel, Lancaster) -
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 30 Jan 84 George Stirrat & Jimmy Yeaman
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Huntsman Inn – Penton) (formerly called Gretna Club) –
North East (Royal Hotel, Keith) –
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Ex-Servicemen’s Club) – 26 Jan 84 Lothian SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20 Dec 83 Bill Black SDB 17 Jan 84 Iain MacPhail SDB
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel) -
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Buck’s Head Hotel) – 9 Jan 84 Rigadoon
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) -
Tynedale (The Royal Hotel, Hexham) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Ayr
2. Balloch
3. Banchory
4. Belford
5. Campbeltown
6. Castle Douglas
7. Cleland
8. Crieff & District
9. Dingwall
10. Dundee & District
11. East Kilbride
12. Forres
13. Fort William
14. Glendale (Wooler)
15. Highland
16. Kintore
17. Lesmahagow
18. Livingston
19. M.A.F.I.A.
20. Newtongrange
21. North Cumbria
22. North East
23. Ormiston
24. Peebles
25. Shetland
26. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1983 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1980) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
11. Buchan A&F Club
12. Callander A&F Club (
13. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
15. Cleland (cNov 1981) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Derwentside A&F Club
19. Dingwall & District (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
21. Dundee & District A&F Club
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
24. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
25. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
26. Fintry A&F Club
27. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
28. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
29. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
30. Galston A&F Club (1969 – per first edition)
31. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
32. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
33. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
34. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
36. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
37. Kintore A&F Club
38. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
39. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
40. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
41. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
42. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
43. M.A.F.I.A. (early)
44. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
45. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
46. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
47. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
48. North Cumbria A&F Club (originally Gretna started July 1965 – had to move to a venue in the North of England and changed name – eventually changed back when they returned to the Halcrow Stadium. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
49. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
50. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
51. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
52. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
53. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
54. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
55. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
56. Rothbury Accordion Club (aka Coquetdale Club - Feb 1974)
57. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
58. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
59. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
60. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
61. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
62. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
63. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
64. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
65. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
66. Club Accord
67. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
68. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
69. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
70. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
71. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
72. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
73. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
74. Newcastleton Accordion Club
75. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
76. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
77. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
78. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
79. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
80. Wellbank A&F Club
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